Be constantly committed to prayer or to reading [Scripture]; by praying, you speak to God, in reading, God speaks to you.
CyprianPeter, in showing that the Church is one and that only those who are in the Church can be saved, said: "In the Ark of Noah certain persons, numbering only eight, were saved by water, which Baptism effects in like manner for you" (1 Peter 3:20). He proves and demonstrates that the solitary Ark of Noah was the figure of the One Church. If, at the time of this Baptism of the world anyone could have been saved without having been in the Ark of Noah, then he who is outside the Church could now be brought to life by Baptism.
CyprianSince the baptismal rebirth takes place only with the one Bride of Christ, where could he be born who is not a son of the Church?
CyprianHe [Christ] protects their faith and gives strength to believers in proportion to the trust that each man who receives that strength is willing to place in him.
CyprianBefore all things, the Teacher of Peace and the Master of Unity would not have prayer made singly and individually, as for one who prays only for himself. For we do not say, "My Father, who art in heaven"... Our prayer is public and common; and when we pray, we pray not for one, but for the whole people, because we the whole people are one.
Cyprian